Community Organizations step in to save Florida Panther

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Feds Again Petitioned for Florida Panther Critical Habitat






full article
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2009/2009-09-21-093.asp

WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2009 (ENS) - As a species, the endangered Florida panther needs about 4,860 square miles in southern Florida to be protected as critical habitat to save the animal from extinction and recover the species, according to a new scientific petition submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by three nonprofit organizations.

The petition was filed late last week by the Center for Biological Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and the Council of Civic Associations, which is affiliated with more than 70 civic organizations, government liaisons and community leaders in South Florida.

The service must decide within 90 days whether the petition presents substantial scientific information indicating whether the action may be warranted.

By asking the Service to designate critical habitat for the 100 to 120 Florida panthers that survive today, the three groups are adding a new element to the decision-making process underway at the Fish and Wildlife Service on a petition previously filed on behalf of the panther by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

"Going to court may be a necessary step because the Fish and Wildlife Service is a thoroughly broken agency and Congressional oversight is almost nonexistent," said Ann Hauck, president of the Council of Civic Associations. "Irresponsible development is killing the very values that make Florida special and, at this rate, panthers will only be seen on our personalized license plates."

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1. K& R